Hermione was frowning slightly as she and Harry made their way back inside.
"Harry, you don't have to follow me. I'll be fine."
"Hermione, Draco may not be a good a student as you, but his dad taught him dark arts. He's really good at them. I want to be there to make sure you're okay. I'm not going to let anything happen to you."
"Don't you think you're over-doing it a bit? I mean, there are other students around."
"No. I don't think I am." Harry said distractedly.
Harry spotted a figure ahead, walking quickly into another corridor. He told Hermione to stay where she was. She did so with a sigh. Harry opened the door, looking around. He was peering intently around the room, his wand at the ready when he heard a squeal from outside. He ran back to the halfway, and saw Hermione being manhandled by Draco. Harry stayed hidden, deciding to see what Draco was up to.
"You told Potter, didn't you mudblood?"
Hermione was biting her lip, determined not to tell him anything. Harry felt the blood boiling inside him as he watched, and he tried not to leap out and beat Draco to a pulp. "Well he's not here now, is he? I had Crabbe run ahead and distract him. I knew you'd try something like this. Did you *really* think I wouldn't get a hold of you again?" Hermione said nothing, and Draco shook her violently. "Did you?!" Hermione shook her head, still adamant she wouldn't respond. She wouldn't give him the pleasure. "Answer ME!" Draco demanded, raising his hand to strike her.
This was too much for Harry. He stepped out and bellowed "Expelliarmus!" The spell hit Draco and sent him flying 10 feet into the air and he landed on a statue. Harry ran to Hermione who looking disgustedly at Draco. He had picking himself up and was grimacing. "Don't you ever try that again Draco!" Harry told him angrily.
He advanced towards Draco, who had not yet regained his normal sneer. Harry had a somewhat maniacal look in his eyes. "Or something worse will happen to you!" Harry held his wand at his side, his knuckles turning white he was gripping it so tightly. "Your father may have taught you the Unforgivable Curses, but I share Voldemort's powers, remember? And even your dad is piss scared of him!" Harry smiled as a look of fear spread over Draco's face as he realized Harry was right. Draco looked over at Hermione. "I'll still get her, Potter! You can't be with her all the time!" and he walked away rather quickly.
Harry turned back to Hermione, who was looking a bit pale. "Hermione, are you alright?" he asked, returning to his usual self.
"Harry…you just threatened to kill Malfoy!" Harry looked down, frowning. He was afraid of this.
"No I didn't! I just sort of…hinted at it." He looked up. "Besides, he needed to be threatened like that. He has to leave you alone!"
"You threatened him with Voldemort's powers." She looked shaken. "Do you really have them?" Harry nodded.
"How do you know you do…have you used them?" She took a half step back, and Harry felt awful. It hurt him. He had never wanted to frighten Hermione, just Draco, but he had gone too far.
"I've never used them, I swear. I just know, Hermione. Remember the lesson when we first got shown them? Ever since then, I've known." Harry put his wand back in his cloak pocket.
Hermione looked a little less worried now, and Harry held out his hand to her. She took it, shaking slightly. Then she threw her arms around his neck. He steadied her, not sure what to do. He put his arms around her as well, and there were no words for a moment. He wasn't sure if she was crying. She was definitely upset, and he wondered if it was more his fault than Draco's. Damn it! Why did he have to act like that in front of Hermione? He sighed. He heard a movement down the corridor, and yelled "If that's who I think it is you can piss right off!" But it wasn't Draco, Crabbe, or Goyle. He turned his head and faced Ron.